BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry is promoting a new program that will make it easier for Canadians to shop in Whatcom County.

The "Canada Certified" program helps more local businesses accept Canadian Interac pin debit cards.

The cards contain a microchip and most Whatcom Ccounty businesses currently aren't equipped to take them.

Anne Britz with Montana based NXGEN, the company offering the program, says the idea started after an economist told her Canadians prefer to use debit cards over credit cards or cash.



The "Canada Certified" program helps businesses easily accept Canadian debit cards and provide receipts in both Canadian and U.S. funds.

The program will also provide participating businesses with a B.C. based marketing campaign in order to help drive Canadian sales to their location. Businesses can call NXGEN at 866-553-4355 to find out how to participate.